Container



y 9- I M. WILLIAMSON 2,469,535

' CONTAINER Filed 001:. 26, 1944 2 Sheets Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Marsha" I. Williamson kw/MM Attornny Patented May 10, 1949 CONTAINER Marshall I. Williamson, New Haven, .Conn., as-' signor, by mesne assignments, to National Folding Box Company, Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut Application October 26, 1944, Serial No. 560,392 I 4 Claims. (Cl. 229---37) This invention relates to containers made from suitable foldable material such as cardboard, paperboard or the like. The invention is particularly applicable to containers for the packaging of powdered substances which have a tendency of sifting through minute cracks or pinholes of the container, particularly when the container is subjected to rough handling.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a sift-proof container which can be economically assembled, filled and sealed and which will withstand hard usage without danger of loss or sifting of its contents.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container comprising a combination of structural features permitting the use of automatic machinery for its forming, setting up, filling and closing.

In accordance with this invention a container is provided which is formed from a single blank of paperboard or,other suitable foldable material presenting enclosing side and end walls. The blank may be prefabricated into a flat tubular structure which requires only a minimum of space for storage and shipment and may be shipped in collapsed condition from the box manufacturer to the plant of a product manu-- r facturer, packer or shipper where the collapsed container blank is expanded, set up and filled on standard machinery.

The invention provides a container of substantially rectangular cross-section made from a blank comprising four side wall panels hingedly connected along parallel score lines, the outermost'wall panels being connected by a sealing flap to. form a tubular body. Rectangular end panels are hingedly connected to alternate side wall panels and form extensions thereof, one end panel being preferably equal in size to the end area of the container and provided with a securing flap for connection to the inside surface of the opposite end panel of the container.

Substantially triangular shaped panels extend from the ends of the other two side wall panels and are hingedly connected with their bases to the latter. The semi-triangular panels or extensions are bounded by diagonal score lines which extend to a point short of the center of the end area. One of the semi-triangular extensions has its apex substantially at the center of the end area while the other extension has an enlarged apex portion or center tab which in the completed container provides an attractive and secure final seal of the end structure. A circular outline extends from the ends of the diagonal score lines and defines side flaps which are hingedly connected with their bases to the adjoining rectangular extension panels and are further hingedly connected with the semi-triangular second extensions along the diagonal score lines.

The side flaps and semi-triangular panels present an end structure which permits convenient closing and sealing of the carton under heat and pressure by means of a thermoplastic adhesive and provides 'further sealing features which render the container sift-proof, even when subjected to rough handling as will further appear from the following description.

The various features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the detailed description which follows, accompanied by drawings showing, for the purpose of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The invention also consists of certain new and original features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the characteristic features of the invention which are believed to be novel will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, its objects and advantages and the manner in which it may be carried out may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the description in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the inside face of a prepared blank from which my improved container may be formed, the inside surface being coated with a thermoplastic adhesive;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the collapsed tubular blank after its first folding and sealing operation;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the expanded tubular blank shown in Fig. 2 ready for its first infolding and heat sealing operation;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the expanded blank shown in Fig. 3 after its first folding and sealing operation;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the expanded blank shown in Fig. 4 after a further downfolding and outfolding operation connected with a sealing operation performed under heat and pressure; and

Fig. 6 shows the completed end structure of the carton after a further folding and sealing operation performed on the expanded blank shown in Fig. 5.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts through the several views of the drawings.

The blank A shown in Fig. 1 is especially designed to overcome leakage difficulties commonly encountered in the packaging of powdered materials andto provide a container which can be economically manufactured and assembled on standard box machines at a highproduction rate.

The blank is substantially rectangular in outline resulting in a minimum waste of material. The blank may be out and scored from a large sheet or roll of paperboard or other suitable material on an automatic cutting and scoring machine. Only one side of the blank need be decoratively finished or imprinted since only one surface of the blank is presented as the outside face of the assembled container. Preferably the sheets from which the blanks are out are coated on the outside with a thermoplastic adhesive prior to the cutting and scoring operation. In Fig. l the blank is shown in a position which the inside surface bearing the thermoplastic coating faces the observer.

The blank comprises four side wall panels l2, I3, and |4 hingedly connected along parallel score lines l5, l6 and I1. A sealing flap I8 is hingedly connected to the side wall panel l4 along a further score line I9 parallel with the score lines |5, Hi and H.

The ends of the side wall panels l2, l3 and I4 are defined by parallel score lines and 2| which intersect the score lines l5, l6, l1 and |9 at right angles. Substantially rectangular first end flaps or extensions 22, 23 and 22', 23' are hingedly connected to alternate wall panels II and i3 along score lines 20 and 2|. The panels 22 and 22' are substantially equal in size to the end area of the carton and are provided with securing flaps 24 and 24', hinged to the first extensions or end panels 22 and 22' along score lines 25 and 25'. The securing flaps serve to secure the ends of the panels 22 and 22' to the inside surface of the opposite end panel in the expanded carton blank as will later appear.

The first extensions or end panels 23 and 23' extending to either side of the wall panel |3 are preferably shorter than panels 22 and 22 and preferably extend with their terminal edges 26 and 26' to the center of the end area in the expanded container.

Semi-triangular second end flaps or extensions 21, 21' and 28, 28' are hingedly connected along their bases to the remaining two side wall panels l2 and I4 along the score lines 2|! and 2|.

The semi-triangu1ar extensions or panels 21 and 21 are bounded by diagonal score lines 29, and 29', 30, respectively. The diagonal score lines 29 and 30 extend from the intersections of score lines l5 and Hi with the score line 2|. These intersections form corners in the completed carton.

The diagonal score lines 29, 29 and 30, 30 terminate short of the center of the end areas at cut lines 3| and 3|. The cut lines 3| and 3| circumscribe enlarged apex areas or center tabs 32 and 32' which in the finished container overlie the center portion of the end areas.

Side portions or flaps 33, 34 and 33, 34 lie to either side of the center tabs 32 and 32. The side flap 33 is bounded by the out line 3|, score line 29, a score line 35 which is an extension of score line l5, and a further cut line 36 which forms an extension of the diagonal score line 30. The side flap 33' is bounded by the out line 3|, score line 29, a score line 35' which is an extension of score line l5, and a further cut line 36' which forms an extension of the diagonal score line 30'.

The side flap 34 is bounded by the out line 3|, diagonal score line 30, a score line 31 which forms an extension of the score line I6 and a cut line 38 which forms an extension of the terminal edge 26 of the panel 23. The side flap 34' is bounded by the out line 3|, diagonal score line 30', a score line 31' which forms an extension of the score line Hi and a out line 38' which forms an extension of the terminal edge 26' of the panel 23.

The triangular extensions or panels 28 and 28 are bounded at their bases by score lines 20 and 2| respectively, and on their sides by diagonal score lines 39, 40 and 39, 40', respectively. The score lines extend from the intersection of score line 20 with score lines H and I9 and from the intersection of score line 2| with score line ll and i9, respectively. These intersections form corners in the completed carton. The diagonal score lines terminate short of the center of the end area at arcuate cut lines 4|, 42 and 4|, 42', respectively.

Side flaps 43 and 44 and 43' and 44' are hingedly connected with the triangular panels 28 and 28' along the diagonal score lines 39, 40 and 39, 40', respectively. These intersections form corners in the completed carton. The diagonal score lines terminate short of the center of the end area at arcuate cut lines 4|, 42 and 4|, 42', respectively.

Side flaps 43 and 44 and 43 and 44' are hingedly connected with the triangular panels 28 and 28' along the diagonal score lines 39, 40 and 39', 40', respectively. The side flap 43 is bounded by a score line 45 forming an extension of score line H, at its one side by the diagonal score line 39, at its top by out line 4|, and at its other side by out line 46 forming an extension of out line 26.

The corresponding side flap 43' at the other end of the blank is hingedly connected to the first end panel 23 along a score line 45 and is bounded at its one side by diagonal score line 39', at its top by arcuate out line 4| and at its other side by a out line 46 forming an extension of the out line 26.

The side flap 44 is hingedly connected at its base to an extension 41 of the sealing flap |8 along a score line 43 forming an extension of score line l9. The side flap 44 is bounded at its one side by diagonal score line 40, at its top by arcuate cut line 42 and its other side by a diagonal out line 49.

The corresponding side flap 44' at the other end of the blank is hingedly connected at its base to an extension 41' of the sealing flap -|8 along a score line 48' forming an extension of score line Hi. The side flap 44 is bounded at one side by diagonal score line 40', at its top by arcuate cut laige 42' and its other side by a diagonal out line At the beginning of the first box forming operation adhesivev is first applied to the outside surface of the sealing flap i8 and the blank is folded along score lines I! and I4 so as to cause the border portion of panel I to overlie and become adhesively secured to-the sealing flap I8. Simultaneously end panels 22 and '22 become adhesively secured to the extensions 41 and 41' of the sealing flap l8. Instead of applying an adhesiv to the outside surface of the sealing flap I8, 41 and 41', the sealing flap may be secured to the inside surface of the panel II and the adjoining end panels 22 and 22 by utilizing the thermoplastic adhesive applied to the inside surface of the blank, folding the sealing flap l8 and its extensions 41 and 41 into contact with the coated surface of panels .22 and 22! The blank thus folded and secured together forms a tubular collapsed structure as illustrated in Fig, 2. It requires a minimum of space for storage and shipment, may be shipped in collapsed condition from a carton manufacturer to a packer or product manufacturer at whose plant the collapsed blanks are expanded as needed and completed into-final container form.

Fig. 3 shows the tubular carton blank in expanded condition. The expanding or squaring may be performed by conventional machinery. The completion of the carton assembly proceeds as follows:

A folding tool 58 having a hinge at 5| is-applied to the side wall panel H and the end wall panel 22 forming an extension of the side wall panel II. The hinge 5| of the tool is aligned with the score line 26. The hinged top portion of the folding tool 50 is then moved inwardly so as to move the end panel 22 into a position at right angles to the side Wall panels of the container. During the folding operation the triangular end panels 21 and 28 move outwardly, the blank folding along score lines 29 and 30 and score lines 39 and 40 respectively. During the last phase of the folding operation the securing flap 24 is folded up against van L-shaped flange or extension 52 of the folding tool and lies with its coated inner surface against the coated innersurface of the end panel 23 as shown in Fig. 4.

A further tool 53' is then moved against the outside surface of the panel 23, heat is applied and pressure exerted by the sealing tool 53 against the flanged extension 52 of the folding tool 50 causing the securing flap 24 to become firmly bonded to the end panel 23.

During this folding and heat sealing operation the container may advance on a conveyer in a direction indicated by the arrow 54.

T After completing the first heat sealing operation the tools 50 and 53 are removed and the direction of advance of the carton is changed to 90 degrees, or the carton turned, so as to advance thereafter in the direction of the arrow 55 shown in Fig. 5. The carton then moves into engagement with conventional sweeps which fold the short end panel 23 down onto the end panel 22 and fold the triangular end panels 21 and 28 outwardly as indicated in Fig. 5.

Heat and pressure is then applied to the outfolded triangular panels in order to bond the side flaps 33 and 34 to the triangular panel 21 and to secure the flaps 43 and 44 to the triangular panel This may be accomplished by moving the container underneath pressure plates 56 covering the portionof the flaps and panels to be sealed and applying to the underside of the flaps and panels pressure with the simultaneous application of heat, In Fig. 5 pressure rollers 51 are diagrammatically shown which engage the portions of the triangular panels 21 and 28 which are contacted by the side flaps 33, 34, and 43, 44 respectively. Heat and pressure cause the thermoplastic adhesive at the inside surface of the blank to become plastic, bonding the flaps and panels securely together.

After the sealing operation just described the container is further advanced and the outfolded triangular panels 21 and 28 are folded inwardly one on top of the other in order to complete the folding'of the carton. Conventional machinery may be employed in this folding operation. The

- tab 32 to overlie the center portion tainer as shown in Fig. 6.

triangular panel 28 is folded first and its apex portion which, as seen in Fig. 5, is not covered by the overlying side flaps 43 and 44 is folded onto the center portion of the end panels 22 and 23. Thereafter the triangular panel 2'! is folded thereover causing the enlarged apex area or center of the con- Heat and pressure may then be applied to the center portion causing the apex area of the triangular flap 28 to become attached to the center portion of panels 22 and 23 and the enlarged center tab 32 to become bonded to both the triangular panel 28 and the end panels 22 and 23 as shown in Fig. 6. Alternatively the center tab 32 may be glue sealed to the end structure.

The circular shape of the center tab 32 serves three purposes. It contributes to a pleasing appearance of the end structure of the carton. It permits the use of relatively long diagonal score lines 29, 30 and 39, 40 which facilitates the folding of top structure of the carton. Finally, it

' offers a large area for bonding the end panels the end panels on the inside of the carton. The

large end panel 22 presents no out edges, the side flaps 33 and 4| (see Fig. 5) being folded over and on top of the panel; The panel 22 as viewed from the inside of the container abuts the side walls I I, lg, l3 and I4 only along score lines 20, 35, 25 and 4 Thus an eflicient, attractive and durable container is provided which is leak and sift-proof and which is adapted for the packaging of products which have heretofore beenpackaged to a large extent in'cans or containers partly or wholly formed from sheet metal. Containers made in accordance with this invention may be made and filled on standard assembly machines at a high production rate with the use of substantially no skilled labor. Its prefabricated blanks may be shipped and stored in collapsed condition thus saving valuable shipping and storage space and may be quickly assembled and closed by theproduct manufacturer.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various changes, additions, substitutions and omissions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A container for powdered material having a tubular body portion and a sift-proof end closure for said body portion including an inner end panel hingedly connected to a side wall of the container, said inner end panel being equal in size to the end area of the container; an end sealing flap and two lateral sealing flaps hingedly connected to said end panel along its end and side edges, respectively said sealing flaps forming a continuous seal around said end panel; an outer end panel hingedly connected to the opposite side wall, said outer end panel being shorter than said inner. end panel, said end flap of the inner 'end panel being adhesively secured to the inner surface of said outer end panel adjacent the hinge connected to the side edges of said outer end panel; second closure panels hingedly connected to the remaining two side walls of the container,

said second closure panels being adhesively secured to said lateral sealing flaps and hingedly connected to the adjacent lateral flaps of the outer end panel and the lateral sealing flaps of the inner end panel along diagonal fold lines, said diagonal fold lines extending from the two corners which are adjacent to the conjoined wall panels and terminating at a out line short of the center of the end area, one of said second closure panels having a central end sealing tab circumscribed by said cut line, said sealing tab being adhesively secured to said inner and outer end panels at the center portion of the end closure.

2. A container for powdered material having a tubular body portion and a sift-proof end closure for said body portionincluding an inner and an outer end panel hingedly connected to opposite wall panels of the container, respectively and foldable one on top of the other, said inner 'end panel being equal in size to the end area of the container, said outer end panel being shorter than said inner end panel; an end sealing flap and two lateral sealing flaps hingedly connected to said inner end panel along its end and side edges, respectively, said sealing flaps forming a continuous seal around said end panel said end sealing flap being attachable to the inside surface of the outer end panel adjacent the hinge line of said outer end panel; lateral flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of the outer end panel; second closure panels hingedly connected to the remaining two opposite wall panels of the body portion, said second closure panels being foldable one on top of the other and over said end panels and adhesively securable to said lateral sealing flaps, each of said second closure panels being hingedly connected along diagonal fold lines to the adjacent lateral flaps of the outer end panel and the adjacent lateral sealing flaps of the inner end panel, said diagonal fold lines extending from the two corners which are adjacent to the conjoined wall panels and terminating short of the center of tha end area at a out line defining a center tab adapted to be adhesively secured to the center portion of the end closure, the center tab of one of said second closure panels being smaller than that of the other.

3. A container for powdered material having a tubular body portion and a sift-proof end closure for said body portion including an inner and an outer end panel hingedly connected to opposite wall panels of the container, respectively and foldable one on top of the other, said inner end .panel being equal in size to the end area of the panels hingedly connected to the remaining two opposite wall panels of the body portion, said second closure panels being foldable one on top of the otherand over said end panels and adhesively securable to said lateral sealing flaps, each of said second closure panels being hingedly connected 1 flaps of the outer end panel and the adjacent lateral sealing flaps of the inner end panel, said diagonal fold lines extending from the two corners which are adjacent to the conjoined wall panels and terminating short of the center of the end area at a out line defining a center tab adapted to be adhesively secured to the underlying center portion of the end closure, the center tab of one of said second closure panels having the shape of a triangle having its apex substantially at the center of the end area, the center tab of the other second closure panel having semicircular shape adapted to cover the center area of the end closure and to be adhesively secured to said inner and outer end panels and said triangular center tab.

4. A container for powdered material having a tubular body portion and a sift-proof end closure for said body portion including an inner and an outer end panel hingedly connected to opposite wall panels of the container, respectively and foldable one on top of the other, said inner end panel being equal in size to the end area of the container, said outer end panel extending with its end edge approximately to the center of the end area overlying said inner end panel; an end sealing flap hingedly connected to said inner end panel along its end edge and substantially triangular lateral sealing flaps hingedly connected with their bases to said inner end panel along its side edges said sealing flaps forming a continuous seal around said inner end panel, the apex portion of said lateral sealing flaps being cut away along a out line which is an are about the center of the end area when the lateral sealing flaps are in infolded position over said inner end panel; lateral flaps hingedly connected to the side edges of the outer end panel; second closure panels hingedly connected to the remaining two opposite wall panels of the body portion, said second closure panels being foldable one on top of the other and over said end panels and adhesively securable to said lateral sealing flaps, each of said second closure panels being hingedly connected along diagonal fold lines to the adjacent lateral flaps of the outer end panel and the adjacent lateral sealing flaps of the inner end panel, said diagonal fold lines extending from the two corners which are adjacent to the conjoined wall panels and terminating short of the center of the end area at a cut line defining a center tab adapted to be adhesively secured to the underlying center portion of the end closure, the center tab of one of said second closure panels having the shape of a triangle having its apex substantially at the center of the end area, the center tab of the other second closure panel having semicircular shape adapted to cover the center area of the end closure and to be adhesively secured to said inner and outer end panels and said triangular center tab.

MARSHALL I. WILLIAMSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Zinn, Jr. Sept. 12, 1944 

